Run: 2026-09-23-01M37J1RV2DW5Y4P5KMVYSMYYE

From the bakery roof, Molly studied the party through binoculars shaped like flamingos. Across the street, the community hall glowed with paper lanterns. A banner over the door read HAPPY SIXTH BIRTHDAY, PRIYA! Beneath it sat a mountain of presents. “We go in, take the presents, and leave before anyone notices,” Molly said. “Simple.” Bill adjusted the bow tie Molly had made him wear. It was orange, enormous, and gave him the air of a magician about to lose a court case. “You called the museum job simple. I spent forty minutes pretending to be a statue.” “You were excellent. A little too excellent, perhaps. The pigeons adored you.” “The pigeons knew I was frightened.” Bill took the binoculars. “Anyway, you’ve forgotten the children.” Molly watched a small boy burst from the hall holding a balloon sword. He attacked his own reflection in the window, won decisively, and ran back inside. “I haven’t forgotten them,” she said. “I’ve accounted for them. We arrive as entertainers.” “What sort?” “Surprise entertainers.” “That isn’t a sort. That’s a warning.” Molly produced two floppy wizard hats from her bag. One had silver stars; the other had a label inside that said MACHINE WASH COLD. Bill looked at the hats, then at the balloon sword lying abandoned by the door. “My tricks are mainly card tricks,” he said. “And I only know one, which relies on everyone agreeing not to look at the bottom card.” “Then do that one. While they’re watching you, I’ll collect the presents.” “All of them? Molly, the pile’s taller than Priya.” “Bill, please. I have brought the big bag.” She held up a canvas sack. It had once contained potatoes and still bore the word POTATOES in bold red letters. Bill stared at it for a long moment. “That bag is not big enough. Also, it announces what’s inside.” “It announces potatoes.” “Exactly. No one brings potatoes to a birthday party. We’ll look suspicious.” Before Molly could defend the sack, the hall door swung open. A woman carrying a cake spotted them on the roof and waved. “There you are!” she called. “Priya said the wizards would come from the sky. We’ve been waiting.” Bill waved back weakly. Molly seized his sleeve and dragged him down the fire escape. By the time they reached the hall, the children had formed a circle and were chanting for magic. Priya offered Bill a glittery plastic wand. Bill accepted it. “For my first trick, I shall make this card disappear.” He dropped it. Priya picked it up and handed it back. “Try again,” she said kindly. Molly glanced at the presents. Then at the hopeful faces. She put down the potato sack, pulled on her wizard hat, and helped Bill pick a card.